Rome Foundation Working Team Report on overlap in disorders of gut-brain interaction.

In patients with disorders of gut-brain interaction (DGBI), overlapping non-gastrointestinal conditions such as fibromyalgia, headaches, gynaecological and urological conditions, sleep disturbances and fatigue are common, as is overlap among DGBI in different regions of the gastrointestinal tract. These overlaps strongly influence patient management and outcome. Shared pathophysiology could explain this scenario, but details are not fully understood.

International myeloma working group immunotherapy committee recommendation on sequencing immunotherapy for treatment of multiple myeloma.

T-cell redirecting therapy (TCRT), specifically chimeric antigen receptor T-cell therapy (CAR T-cells) and bispecific T-cell engagers (TCEs) represent a remarkable advance in the treatment of multiple myeloma (MM). There are several products available around the world and several more in development targeting primarily B-cell maturation antigen (BCMA) and G protein-coupled receptor class C group 5 member D (GRPC5D). The relatively rapid availability of multiple immunotherapies brings the necessity to understand how a certain agent may affect the safety and efficacy of a subsequent immunotherapy so MM physicians and patients can aim at optimal sequential use of these therapies.

Alu-Sc-mediated exonization generated a mitochondrial LKB1 gene variant found only in higher order primates.

The tumor suppressor LKB1/STK11 plays important roles in regulating cellular metabolism and stress responses and its mutations are associated with various cancers. We recently identified a novel exon 1b within intron 1 of human LKB1/STK11, which generates an alternatively spliced, mitochondria-targeting LKB1 isoform important for regulating mitochondrial oxidative stress. Here we examined the formation of this novel exon 1b and uncovered its relatively late emergence during evolution.

Genetic coupling of enhancer activity and connectivity in gene expression control.

Gene enhancers often form long-range contacts with promoters, but it remains unclear if the activity of enhancers and their chromosomal contacts are mediated by the same DNA sequences and recruited factors. Here, we study the effects of expression quantitative trait loci (eQTLs) on enhancer activity and promoter contacts in primary monocytes isolated from 34 male individuals. Using eQTL-Capture Hi-C and a Bayesian approach considering both intra- and inter-individual variation, we initially detect 19 eQTLs associated with enhancer-eGene promoter contacts, most of which also associate with enhancer accessibility and activity.

Strengthening advanced therapy for sickle cell disease in Africa: experience from sickle cell disease centre in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.

Despite progress in healthcare services for individuals living with sickle cell disease (SCD) in Africa, substantial gaps remain in advanced treatments for SCD. To help address this burden, Tanzania has established one of the largest single-centre SCD programmes in the world and developed an advanced therapy programme for SCD focused on patient engagement and advocacy, clinical activities involving exchange blood transfusion (ExBT) and haematopoietic stem cell transplant (HSCT), gene therapy (GT) preparedness, and enabling partnerships. This report describes the programme's genesis, structure and progress achieved.

Number of patient samples affected before error detection: Strategic implications for internal quality control and patient-based quality control practices.

Introduction: There is a general impression that patient-based quality control (PBQC) requires a high volume of laboratory results to detect errors effectively. However, internal quality control (IQC) performed infrequently may be associated with increased risk of missed error (i.e.

Selective pressure of various levels of erythromycin on the development of antibiotic resistance.

This study evaluated microbial fitness under selective pressure of various erythromycin concentrations and the development of resistance genes in Escherichia coli (E. coli) and Enterococcus faecalis (E. faecalis).

Synthesis and Characterization of Lipid-Polyzwitterion Diblock Copolymers for Optimizing Micelle Formation to Enhance Anticancer Drug Delivery in 2D and 3D Cell Cultures.

Amphiphilic polymers with distinct polarity differences, known as sharp polarity contrast polymers (SPCPs), have gained much attention for their ability to form micelles with low critical micelle concentrations (CMCs) and potential in anticancer drug delivery. This study addresses the limited research on structure-property relationships of SPCPs by developing various SPCPs and exploring their physicochemical properties and biological applications. Specifically, the superhydrophobic aliphatic palmitoyl (Pal) was coupled to the superhydrophilic zwitterionic poly(2-methacryloyloxyethyl phosphorylcholine) (pMPC) to form Pal-pMPC diblock copolymers.

Accumulation of Water-Soluble Polysaccharides during Lychee Pulp Fermentation with Involves Endoglucanase Expression.

In the current work, lychee pulp was subjected to ATCC 14917 fermentation, leading to a substantial increase (2.32-2.67-fold) in water-soluble polysaccharides (WSP).

The Depression, Anxiety, Stress Scales-21: Principal component analysis and evaluation of abbreviated versions in young adults with temporomandibular disorders.

Background: The Depression, Anxiety, Stress Scales-21 (DASS-21) contain three subscales measuring depression, anxiety, and stress. Several abbreviated DASS-21 versions have been developed, demonstrating better clinical utility and measurement properties than the original instrument. This study explored the factor structure of various abbreviated DASS-21 versions and identified/validated the optimal one for assessing young adults with temporomandibular disorders (TMDs).

The association of physical function and physical performance with DNA methylation clocks in oldest-old living in Singapore - the SG90 cohort.

Deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) methylation (DNAm) clocks estimate biological age according to DNA methylation. This study investigated the associations between measures of physical function and physical performance and ten DNAm clocks in the oldest-old in Singapore. The SG90 cohort included a subset of community-dwelling oldest-old from the Singapore Chinese Health Study (SCHS) and Singapore Longitudinal Ageing Study (SLAS).

Case management in emergency care: impact evaluation of the CARED Program.

Background: Hospitals face mounting pressure to reduce unplanned utilization amid rising healthcare demands from an aging population. The Case management for At-Risk patients in the Emergency Department (CARED) program is among the first ED transitional care strategies to focus on both frail older adults and emergency department (ED) re-attenders to reduce acute hospital utilization. This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of the CARED program in reducing hospital (re)admissions and ED re-attendances within 30- and 60 days post-discharge.

Safety and efficacy of minimally invasive associating liver partition and portal vein ligation for staged hepatectomy (ALPPS): a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: Liver malignancies present substantial challenges to surgeons due to the extensive hepatic resections required, frequently resulting in posthepatectomy liver failure. Associating liver partition and portal vein ligation for staged hepatectomy (ALPPS) was designed to increase the resectable liver volume, yet it is associated with significant mortality and morbidity rates. Recently, minimally invasive techniques have been incorporated into ALPPS, with the potential to improve the procedure's safety profile whilst maintaining efficacy.

Pharmacogenetic Testing for Predicting Methylphenidate Treatment Outcomes in Childhood Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder in Turkey: Focus on Carboxylesterase 1, Latrophilin-3, and Catechol-O-Methyltransferase.

Pharmacogenetic studies involving Carboxylesterase 1 (CES1), Latrophilin-3 (LPHN3), and Catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT) revealed individual differences regarding therapeutic response in children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) under methylphenidate (MPH) treatment. This study aimed to evaluate MPH's association with the adverse effect status in children and its relationship with CES1, LPHN3, and COMT in the Turkish population. The study included 102 children and adolescents with ADHD, who were categorized as responders, or the adverse effect group based on their treatment response.

Family Functioning, Life Satisfaction, and Depressive Symptoms in Chinese Adults With Diabetes and Hypertension: A Cross-Lagged Model.

This study aims to evaluate the bidirectional relationship between family functioning and depressive symptoms, considering life satisfaction as a potential mediator and gender, age and income as a moderator of these associations. A longitudinal study was conducted with 708 Chinese adults with diabetes and hypertension (51.6% women; mean age: 64.

Germanium nanocrystal non-volatile memory devices: fabrication, charge storage mechanism and characterization.

The widespread proliferation and increasing use of portable electronic devices and wearables, and the recent developments in artificial intelligence and internet-of-things, have fuelled the need for high-density and low-voltage non-volatile memory devices. Nanocrystal memory, an emergent non-volatile memory (NVM) device that makes use of the Coulomb blockade effect, can potentially result in the scaling of the tunnel dielectric layer to a very small thickness. Since the nanocrystals are electrically isolated, potential charge leakage paths localized defects in the thin tunnel dielectric can be substantially reduced, unlike that in a continuous polysilicon floating gate structure.

Personalized Photoprotection: Expert Consensus and Recommendations From a Delphi Study Among Dermatologists.

Background: Recommending comprehensive personalized photoprotection requires an accurate assessment of the patient's skin, including phototype, lifestyle, exposure conditions, environmental factors, and concomitant cutaneous conditions as well as deep knowledge of the available options: sunscreen ingredients (type of filters, spectrum coverage, sun protection factor, enhanced active ingredients), oral photoprotection, and other methods of sun protection and avoidance.

Objectives: To establish consensus-based recommendations endorsed by an international panel of experts for personalized medical photoprotection recommendations that are applicable globally.

Methods: A two-round Delphi study was designed to determine the degree of agreement and relevance of aspects related to personalized medical photoprotection.

Prevalence of dementia in Singapore: Changes across a decade.

Introduction: The study aimed to assess changes in the prevalence of dementia in Singapore over the past decade.

Methods: The Well-being of the Singapore Elderly (WiSE) 2023 and the WiSE 2013 studies were comprehensive, single-phase, cross-sectional surveys conducted among older adults aged ≥60 years in Singapore. WiSE 2023 included 2010 older adults and 1798 informants, whereas WiSE 2013 comprised 2565 older adults and 2421 informants.

Assessment of hemodynamic disturbances and impaired ventricular filling in asymptomatic fontan patients: A 4D flow CMR study.

Background: The Fontan procedure is a surgical intervention designed for patients with single ventricle physiology, wherein the systemic venous return is redirected into the pulmonary circulation, thereby facilitating passive pulmonary blood flow without the assistance of ventricular propulsion. Consequently, long-term follow-up of individuals who have undergone the asymptomatic Fontan procedure is essential.

Objectives: The aims of this investigation were to: 1) examine the impact of flow components and kinetic energy (KE) parameters on hemodynamic disturbances in asymptomatic Fontan patients and control group; 2) Assess left ventricular diastolic dysfunction through the analysis of 4D flow parameters across different Fontan sub-groups; 3) Compare intracardiac flow parameters among Fontan sub-groups based on morphological features of the left ventricle (LV) and right ventricle (RV).

Microbial biopesticides: A one health perspective on benefits and risks.

Controlling insect pests that destroy crop and spread diseases will become increasingly crucial for addressing the food demands of a growing global population and the expansion of vector-borne diseases. A key challenge is the development of a balanced approach for sustainable food production and disease control in 2050 and beyond. Microbial biopesticides, derived from bacteria, viruses, fungi, protozoa, or nematodes, offer potentially significant benefits for promoting One Health and contributing to several United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

A qualitative study on general practitioners' perspectives on late-life depression in Singapore-part II: system- and physician-related factors.

Background: Little is known about the practices and resources employed by general practitioners (GPs) in Singapore to manage late-life depression. As the country is stepping up its efforts to promote collaborative care across community mental health and geriatric care, understanding GPs' current practices when managing late-life depression appears timely.

Methods: This qualitative descriptive study explored the perspectives on late-life depression of 28 private GPs practicing in Singapore through online semi-structured group and individual interviews.

A Multi-Center Prospective Study on the Healing of Neuro-Ischemic Ulcers in Singapore: A Prospective Cohort Study.

Background And Aims: Neuro-ischemic ulcers (NIU) present a substantial clinical and economic burden on the healthcare systems. This study aims to evaluate their healing rate, associated healthcare resource utilization, and prognostic factors influencing healing.

Methods: Consecutive patients attended specialist clinics or admitted to wards in three tertiary hospitals for new or existing NIUs from November 2019 to November 2021 were eligible for this study.

Behavior, mechanisms, and applications of low-concentration CO in energy media.

This review explores the behavior of low-concentration CO (LCC) in various energy media, such as solid adsorbents, liquid absorbents, and catalytic surfaces. It delves into the mechanisms of diffusion, adsorption, and catalytic reactions, while analyzing the potential applications and challenges of these properties in technologies like air separation, compressed gas energy storage, and CO catalytic conversion. Given the current lack of comprehensive analyses, especially those encompassing multiscale studies of LCC behavior, this review aims to provide a theoretical foundation and data support for optimizing CO capture, storage, and conversion technologies, as well as guidance for the development and application of new materials.

Cycloolefin Copolymers With a Multiply Rigid Structure for Protecting Triplet Exciton From Thermo- and Moisture-Quenching.

Polymeric room temperature phosphorescence (RTP) materials have been well developed and utilized in various fields. However, their fast thermo- and moisture-quenching behavior highly limit their applications in certain harsh environments. Therefore, the preparation of materials with thermo- and moisture-resistant phosphorescence is greatly attractive.

Microfluidics for morpholomics and spatial omics applications.

Creative designs, precise fluidic manipulation, and automation have supported the development of microfluidics for single-cell applications. Together with the advancements in detection technologies and artificial intelligence (AI), microfluidic-assisted platforms have been increasingly used for new modalities of single-cell investigations and in spatial omics applications. This review explores the use of microfluidic technologies for morpholomics and spatial omics with a focus on single-cell and tissue characterization.